03/07/2023
Fred Chukwuelobe wrote
Joy Mmesoma Ejikeme and JAMB...
I always insist that there's always two sides to a story. And in the Joy Mmesoma Ejikeme vs Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB) imbrioglio, let us hear the two sides first before we pass judgement.
JAMB has accused the 16-year-old Mmesoma Ejikeme of falsifying her winning 362 score in this year's Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examinations (UTME) as against 249 the body said she legitimately scored.
Before JAMB came with its story, Mmesoma had been celebrated as a child prodigy. She had gotten a scholarship from Nnewi-based automobile entrepreneur, Chief Innocent Chukwuma, proprietor of the high flying INNOSON Motors. The entrepreneur cm philanthropist gave her N3m for her exploits.
Three months after being celebrated as the candidate with the highest UMTE score, and as her State - Anambra - was about to honour her and grant her further scholarship, JAMB struck, and threw spanner in the works. She was accused of manipulating the result.
My understanding is that Mmesoma is from a poor background. Her father is a commercial motorcycle operator popularly known as okada rider. I have doubts as to the young lady's capacity to engage in such untoward manipulation. I suspect that if it turns out to be true, then she must have been aided by someone who knows how to achieve such tasteless cookery. But that conclusion will have to wait until we hear from the young girl and complete an investigation. So, let's hear her side of the sordid story.
However, if it turns out that JAMB is accusing this girl falsely due to its own system failure or inefficiency, I pray that lawyers take up this case, sue JAMB, defend this young girl whose reputation has been severely damaged, and claim damages on her behalf. If on the hand she's found guilty of what she's been accused of, then she and her collaborators should be made to pay a heavy price.
Until that is done, any comment made and any judgement passed on behalf of either parties would be hasty and prejudicial.
So, let's hear from Mmesoma.
Journalists should seek her out, interview her, do a thorough investigation and report their findings undiluted. We need to get to the bottom of this matter and save the credibility of this girl or that of JAMB.
This matter is serious and should be so treated.
Fred Chukwuelobe, fnipr.
